GETTING INTO: Holy Roar Records, as chosen by Ithaca

Independent label Holy Roar Records are have put out some of the best records over the last few years by the likes of MØL, Conjurer and, of course, Ithaca. The metallic hardcore newcomers are rightly receiving plaudits for the grooves and haunting melodies on ‘The Language of Injury’ so we wanted to grab their thoughts on Holy Roar and the releases they’ve put their name to. We got each of the band to pick their favourite ever record from the label over the years and it’ll be no surprise to see the excellent choices they came up with.

WITCH CULT – WITCH CULT

As Chosen By Red Sismey

Reaching back a few years to 2011 for this one but fuck, this is the realest shit. Crucial South Coast Powerviolence made by incredible people. Nobody else was really pushing this sound back then in the UK, and it was so incredibly refreshing to hear the type of music I was super into being played not only by a band I could realistically see live (up until that point I was pining for a slew of American bands who would probably never tour these shores) but my pals to boot! Absolutely stands out as a defining record in the UK DIY scene for sure.

VALES – CLARITY

As Chosen By Sam Chetan-Welsh

In my (very ill-informed) view this is one of the best and most important releases in underground UK heavy music in the last decade. It’s close to flawless – seamlessly arranged, emotionally hefty, raw as it is lush, melodic as it is vicious. Ithaca intentionally tune our guitars the same way Vales did, and that’s all you need to know.

ROLO TOMASSI- TIME WILL DIE AND LOVE WILL BURY IT

As Chosen By Will Sweet

It’s rare to follow a band for over ten years and find them still getting better and better at what they do – the song craft, musicianship, the sheer amount of ideas. This was a highlight of last year for me.

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND – THIS IS WHERE THE FIGHT BEGINS

As Chosen By James Lewis

This band was incredibly influential to me for the speed, energy and punchiness of their songs. Some of the best gig stories came from seeing these guys too. Probably one of the reasons Ithaca even got started.

THROATS – THROATS

As Chosen By Djamila Azzouz

You can’t talk about Holy Roar without mentioning Throats. I first saw them play maybe a decade ago, and it tore my fucking face off. Converge worship, but with bits of grind core and D-beat thrown in for good measure. There are plenty of bands going now who try and capture this level of aggression and chaos while trying to make it listenable, but barely anyone does it like this lot. Uncomfortable and joyous at the same time.

Ithaca‘s debut album ‘The Language of Injury’ is out now via Holy Roar Records and you can download it on iTunes here. You can see the band on tour in March and April.

Returning for another year, Hit The Deck Festival have just confirmed the first wave of acts to compose their 2015 line-up, which includes Skindred, While She Sleeps, Rolo Tomassi and more. You can check out Read More

Today, Hit The Deck Festival announced their second wave of acts who will be performing at the Bristol (April 20th 2013) and/or Nottingham (April 21st 2013) dates later this year, which includes Attack Attack!, Devil Read More

Hosted at the grounds of Knebworth, we got involved with the Sonisphere festivities now that the event has been extended to a three-day weekend with all of its stages. The first night of bands treated Read More